Real Madrid outguns Galatasary in Round 2

Real Madrid remained perfect in the Euroleague this season by defeating Turkish giant Galatasaray in the Spanish capital on Friday Night.

It was twelve in a row for Los Blancos as the team moved to 27 undefeated since the start of the season at home and on the continent by downing a solid Galatasaray team. Indeed, the Madrid players were given a tougher workout this time around but still emerged victorious to go 2-0 at the top of Group F in the Euroleague Last 16.

The Spanish giant was not the only club tasting victory on Friday as Panathinaikos beat Laboral Kutxa on the road in Group E, while Malaga squeezed out Efes away from home. In Group F CSKA Moscow joined Madrid 2 from 2 thanks to a win over Zalgiris Kaunas in Russia.

Real Madrid vs. Galatasaray, 89-84

First quarter

Madrid started the game well thanks to a basket from Ioannis Bourousis in the paint and the hosts pushed early to open a 7-2 lead during the first minutes. Felipe Reyes and Tremmell Darden gave Madrid control of the game with baskets that took the score to 12-4 and already Los Blancos looked in a formidable mood. Although, the Galatasaray players should be applauded for rallying late in the first period and showing that they too are a good team. At the first break the score had been cut to just 1 point with the Spanish team winning 20-19.

Second quarter

The visitors snatched the lead for the first time in the contest with the first basket of the second quarter, a triple from Henry Domercant. For the next few scores the teams traded for the lead until once again Madrid put it together to pick up a six point lead at 30-24. In the final five minutes of the first half the home team clicked and dominated the game, while Galatasaray faltered from the free throw line. With the halftime buzzer sounding around the Palacio De Deportes Madrid held a commanding 45-33 advantage.

Third quarter

Galatasaray came out for the second half like a team transformed, so credit must go to Ataman Ergin´s team talk. The away team put together a 0-8 run to restrict Madrid and reel in the score and thanks to a long range effort from Zoran Erceg cut the deficit to 47-44. Vitally, Madrid still held the lead and the team showed its class once again by going on a 12-2 run to again take the initiative in the game. By the end of thirty minutes the Spanish team held the biggest lead of the night, leaving Galatasaray trailing by 14 points with the scoreboard at 66-52.

Fourth quarter

At the start of the fourth the visitors went for it and entered a basket for basket shootout with Madrid. As the war waged, Galatasaray once again reeled in the hosts only for Madrid to respond and take a big lead. It was the story of the game and one that played out again in the fourth, although the Turkish team had got the score to 87-82 with a minute left. Despite a valiant effort Galatasaray became the latest to fall at the hands of an all-conquering Real Madrid team.

It was a game of huge numbers as players tallied up impressive stats on both sides. Jaycee Carroll led Real Madrid with 15 points but he was joined by five more Los Blancos players in double figures. Marcus Slaughter notched 14 points and 9 rebounds, Sergio Rodriguez and Felipe Reyes finished with 14 apiece, and Tremmell Darden put together a double-double game of 13 points and 10 rebounds, while finally Sergio Llull hit 10 points.

Zoran Erceg was outstanding for Galatasaray with a game high 24 points, while he also claimed 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Cenk Akyol netted 16 for the visitors, with Carlos Arroyo putting together 12 points and 10 assists. The night´s third double-double game was completed by Milan Macvan with 12 points and 11 rebounds.